Season 4 contains the 80th episode of The Next Generation, at which point it surpassed the output of the Original Series. A number of extended themes played out during this season delving into both the political backdrop and the personal lives of the crew. These continuing storylines proved extremely popular, however they did not detract from the use of Science Fiction to tell interesting stories. Senior Trekker continues to score every episode with a 5.
This is an extremely well-crafted episode which very nearly didn't get made. Apparently, the whole idea of following up the trauma of Best of Both Worlds with a human story about Captain Picard's delicate route to recovery was very unpopular with many executives, including Gene Roddenberry himself. There are differing accounts of what went on behind the scenes but we can be extremely thankful that the more humane voices prevailed.
The progression of the Star Trek franchise to a medium which allowed for character development and viewer identification with the regular cast is probably one of the main reasons for its outstanding success. If we look back to the Original Series without our "Rose Tinted Spectacles" for once, we can see that three larger-than-life actors impressed their characters upon viewers with little continuity or back story while the remainder of the Bridge Crew were chronically underused. On the other hand, no one could have known that the allowing The Next Generation to develop more character-led content wouldn't have resulted in a "Soap Opera in Outer Space". Something that no-one wanted at the time and which is proving extremely divisive in the 2020s.
So what does Family have to offer?
Three excellent British actors supporting Patrick Stewart for some intense and powerfully written scenes at his home vineyard. Various Locations in California successfully stood in for the La Barre region of France but no explanation is given as to why everyone speaks with such a pronounced English Accent. Nor can I find out why such an accomplished stage and screen actor as Jeremy Kemp needed to have his voice dubbed. Picard's nephew, Rene, played by David Birkin also made an indelible impression and returned to TNG on further occasions. This young man is a member of a well-known acting dynasty who has since been seen more in theatrical productions; a plethora of posh parts with double-barrelled names probably helping to put him off of screen work. Oscar nominee Samantha Eggar added such warmth and humanity to the part of Marie that, despite a small part in what was only one of the interlinked stories of this episode, we still remember her with great fondness.
Not quite the same can be said for Theodore Bikel and Georgia Brown playing Worf's adopted parents Sergey and Helena Rozhenkho. Their comic stereotypes were rather embarrassing at the time and now they might even be interpreted as offensive, which is a shame because the intention was clearly to depict a genuine, loving family background. Of course, Worf's hometown of Minsk has by now been a part of the country of Belarus (and NOT of Russia) for thirty years but who knows which maps may be re-drawn between now and the 24th Century?
The Wesley story suffers badly from being assigned third place, it could have done with a great deal more attention than simply having Dr Crusher and Captain Picard appear in flashbacks with different hairlines. Wesley's father's first recording was made just after Wesley was born but he didn't die until the boy was seven. What happened to the rest?
This is an extremely well-crafted episode which very nearly didn't get made. Apparently, the whole idea of following up the trauma of Best of Both Worlds with a human story about Captain Picard's delicate route to recovery was very unpopular with many executives, including Gene Roddenberry himself. There are differing accounts of what went on behind the scenes but we can be extremely thankful that the more humane voices prevailed.
The progression of the Star Trek franchise to a medium which allowed for character development and viewer identification with the regular cast is probably one of the main reasons for its outstanding success. If we look back to the Original Series without our "Rose Tinted Spectacles" for once, we can see that three larger-than-life actors impressed their characters upon viewers with little continuity or back story while the remainder of the Bridge Crew were chronically underused. On the other hand, no one could have known that the allowing The Next Generation to develop more character-led content wouldn't have resulted in a "Soap Opera in Outer Space". Something that no-one wanted at the time and which is proving extremely divisive in the 2020s.
So what does Family have to offer?
Three excellent British actors supporting Patrick Stewart for some intense and powerfully written scenes at his home vineyard. Various Locations in California successfully stood in for the La Barre region of France but no explanation is given as to why everyone speaks with such a pronounced English Accent. Nor can I find out why such an accomplished stage and screen actor as Jeremy Kemp needed to have his voice dubbed. Picard's nephew, Rene, played by David Birkin also made an indelible impression and returned to TNG on further occasions. This young man is a member of a well-known acting dynasty who has since been seen more in theatrical productions; a plethora of posh parts with double-barrelled names probably helping to put him off of screen work. Oscar nominee Samantha Eggar added such warmth and humanity to the part of Marie that, despite a small part in what was only one of the interlinked stories of this episode, we still remember her with great fondness.
Not quite the same can be said for Theodore Bikel and Georgia Brown playing Worf's adopted parents Sergey and Helena Rozhenkho. Their comic stereotypes were rather embarrassing at the time and now they might even be interpreted as offensive, which is a shame because the intention was clearly to depict a genuine, loving family background. Of course, Worf's hometown of Minsk has by now been a part of the country of Belarus (and NOT of Russia) for thirty years but who knows which maps may be re-drawn between now and the 24th Century?
The Wesley story suffers badly from being assigned third place, it could have done with a great deal more attention than simply having Dr Crusher and Captain Picard appear in flashbacks with different hairlines. Wesley's father's first recording was made just after Wesley was born but he didn't die until the boy was seven. What happened to the rest?